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TheSocietyofProfessionalJournalists
BoardofDirectorsMeeting
Feb.2,2019Noon–3p.m.EST
ZoomConferenceCall
STREAMEDLIVEATWWW.SPJ.ORG
ImprovingandProtectingJournalismSince1909
TheSocietyofProfessionalJournalistsisthenation’slargestandmostbroad-basedjournalismorganization,dedicatedtoencouragingthefreepracticeofjournalismandstimulatinghighstandardsof
ethicalbehavior.
Foundedin1909asSigmaDeltaChi,SPJpromotesthefreeflowofinformationvitaltoawell-informedcitizenry,workstoinspireandeducatethenextgenerationofjournalists,andprotectsFirstAmendment
guaranteesoffreedomofspeechandpress.
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AGENDASOCIETYOFPROFESSIONALJOURNALISTSBOARDMEETING
VIDEOCONFERENCEMEETINGDATE:February2,2019
TIME:Noon–3p.m.Eastern
1.CalltoOrder–Tarquinio
2.RollCall–Hall
a. Tarquiniob. Gallagher
Newberryc. Halld. KopenKatcefe. Bartlettf. Davila-Richards
g. Foxh. Hernandezi. Kisselj. Koretzkyk. Krolll. Meyersm. Radske
n. Reilleyo. Savinop. Schotzq. Southr. Walker
3.ApprovalofMeetingMinutes–Tarquinio
a. March19,2018[Page3]b. Sept.27,2018[Page4]c. Sept.30,2018[Page9]d. Dec.1,2018[Page16]
4.NewStudentChapterApprovalforAnnArbor,Mich.–BethelMcKenzie
5.EIJ19Update–GallagherNewberry
6.SPJ’s110th/50thAnniversaryPlan–BethelMcKenzie,Messing
5.FY2020BudgetPlanning–BethelMcKenzie,Messing
6.PublicCommentPeriod(Thepubliccanmakecommentspriortothemeetingatwww.spj.org/board-meeting.asp.)
EnterExecutiveSession:
7.ContinuationofFY2020BudgetPlanning–BethelMcKenzie,Messing
8.SponsorshipTaskForceReport–GallagherNewberry
9.ExecutiveDirectorReview–Tarquinio,Hall
ExitExecutiveSession:
10.Adjournment
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MINUTES
BOARDOFDIRECTORSSOCIETYOFPROFESSIONALJOURNALISTS
MARCH19,2018ZOOMCALL
MEETINGCALLEDTOORDERThemeetingoftheBoardofDirectorsoftheSocietyofProfessionalJournalistswascalledtoorderat2:03p.m.EDTonMonday,March19,2018,viaZoom.Thosepresentwere:PresidentRebeccaBaker,Secretary-TreasurerPattiNewberry,VicePresidentofCampusChapterAffairsSueKopenKatcef,At-LargeDirectorLaurenBartlett,CampusAdvisorAt-LargeLeticiaSteffen,StudentRepresentativeHaleyHarding,andRegionalDirectorsTomMcKee,KellyKissell,MicheleDay,DonMeyers,JoeRadske,MichaelKoretzkyandAndySchotz.StaffmemberspresentforthemeetingwereExecutiveDirectorAlisonBethelMcKenzieandDeputyExecutiveDirectorTaraPuckey.REGIONALBUSINESSAmotionwasmadebyBartlett,andsecondedbyKoretzky,thattheboardenterexecutivesessionforthepurposeofdiscussionaboutinternalregionalbusiness.UponpropermotionbyBartlettandsecondbyKoretzky,theboardenteredexecutivesessionat2:07p.m.EDT.Discussionlastedapproximately55minutes.UponpropermotionbyKopenKatcefandsecondbyMeyers,theboardvotedtoexitexecutivesessionatapproximately3:03p.m.ET.UponpropermotionbyMeyersandsecondbyHarding,theboardvotedtoadjournthemeetingat3:05p.m.ET.
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MINUTES
BOARDOFDIRECTORSSOCIETYOFPROFESSIONALJOURNALISTS
Sept.27,2018HiltonBaltimore–Baltimore,Maryland
MEETINGCALLEDTOORDERThemeetingoftheBoardofDirectorsoftheSocietyofProfessionalJournalistswascalledtoorderat9:10a.m.EDTonThursday,Sept.27,duringtheExcellenceinJournalismconferenceattheBaltimoreHiltoninBaltimore,Md.Thosepresentwere:PresidentRebeccaBaker;President-electAlexTarquinio;Secretary-TreasurerPattiNewberry;ImmediatePastPresidentLynnWalsh;VicePresidentofCampusChapterAffairsSueKopenKatcef;DirectorAt-LargeLaurenBartlett;CampusAdviserAt-LargeLeticiaSteffen;Region1DirectorJanePrimerano;Region2DirectorAndySchotz;Region3DirectorMichaelKoretzky;Region4DirectorTomMcKee;Region5DirectorMicheleDay;Region6DirectorJoeRadske;Region7DirectorKariWilliams;Region8DirectorEddyeGallagher;Region9DirectorEdOtte;Region10DirectorDonaldMeyers;Region11DirectorMattHallandRegion12DirectorKellyKissel.StaffmemberspresentforthemeetingwereExecutiveDirectorAlisonBethelMcKenzie,JournalistonCallRodHicks,DirectorofDevelopmentLarryMessing,DirectorofFinanceandAdministrationAmyWongandDirectorofCommunicationsandMarketingJenniferRoyer.PUBLICCOMMENTBakerstartedthemeetingwithpubliccomment.StephanieBluestein,LosAngeleschapterpresidenturgedtheboardnottosolicitoracceptconferencesponsorshipsfromtheKochFoundationorothersuchgroupsthathaveintentionsofinfluencingnewscoverageorpoliciesofjournalismorganizations.Shealsoencouragedtheboardtorefrainfromenteringintomulti-yearagreementswithsponsors,workwithotherorganizationsoracampushostfortheconferencethatwouldpotentiallybelessexpensivethanahotelvenue.Thesechangeswouldhelplowertheburdenofraisingmoneyfromsponsors,shesaid.BenMeyersonoftheChicagoHeadlineClubsaidtheirchapterpresidentbroughtuptheissueoftheKochsponsorshipbeforeandtheyaredisappointedKochwasallowedtosponsortheconference.HesaidsomesemblanceofeffortshouldbemadetoupholdtheSPJCodeofEthicswhendecidingonsponsorshipsandSPJisnotobligatedtoaccepteverysponsor.HesaidtheChicagochapterisnotaloneinitsconcern.TheLAandSanDiegochaptersareconcernedaswell.Theyareheartenedbytheboard’swillingnesstoupdateitssponsorshippolicy,buttheyareconcernedtheboardisnotmovingquicklyenough.TakingmoneyfrompoliticalgroupslessensSPJ’strustworthiness,Meyersonsaid.Hehopestheboardwillmovemorequicklytoresolvethis.Bakersaidtheboardhasheardthesuggestionsandwilltakethemveryseriously.EXECUTIVESESSION
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BakeraskedthatsomeonemovetogointoExecutiveSession.Bartlettmoved,McKeeseconded.TheboardwentintoExecutiveSessionat9:15a.m.TheboardexitedExecutiveSessionat11:05a.m.SPJPRESIDENT’SREPORTBakeraskedforaroundofapplauseforKopenKatcefandSchotzfortheirleadershipinthemoneyraisedfortheCapitalGazette.Baker,BethelMcKenzieandSchotzdonatedtheirstipendsforatotalof$3,500andto-date,$6,500wasraisedfromsellingIBacktheFirstAmendmentT-shirts.BakersaidthiswasoneofthebestthingsSPJhasdonethisyearanditisawonderfulthingtheboardandstaffdid.ThereismoretocomeandBakerthankedeveryonefortheirhelp.SDXPRESIDENT’SREPORTSDXFoundationPresidentRobertLegersaidtheFoundationhasnearly$14millioninholdingsanddirectedeveryonetothefullreportintheboardpacket.HesaidtheFoundationisexcitedtohaveRodHicksonboardastheJournalistonCallandcommendedtheeventheorganizedTuesdaynightinBaltimore.HereportedthattheFoundationwouldbevotingonchangingitsnametotheSPJFoundationatitsboardmeetingtomorrow.Hesaidhehasnoideahowitwillgo,butwe’llseewhathappens.Itwouldtake2/3ofboardvotesforittopass,andifitdoespass,SPJhas30daystovoteitdown.APPROVALOFBOARDMINUTESPrimeranosaidtheJuly21minutesshouldbeamendedtoshowshewasinattendance.BartlettmovedtoapproveminutesfromtheAprilandJulyboardmeetings.McKeeseconded.Motionpassed.STAFFREPORTBethelMcKenzieintroducednewstaffHicks,WongandMessing.ShethankedBakeraddingithasbeenafastandfurioussixmonthsinwhichsevennewemployeeswerehired,twokeyassociationclientswerelost,butsheisgratefulforconstructivecriticismandideasforhowweallcanworktogetherasateam.BethelMcKenzieandWonggaveanupdateonthefiscalyear2019budget.Workisalreadyhappeningtoattractmoreassociationmanagementclients,fundraisingstrategyisbeingdevelopedandthereisafocusonstrengtheningcurrentpartnershipsanddevelopingnewones.InadditiontoraisingmoneyforCapitalGazettefamilies,BethelMcKenziespokeontheHillaboutviolencetowardjournalists,theJournalistonCallwashired,sheandMessinghavebeenworkingonfundraisingwithvariousgroups,DayofGivingwashostedinMayandlookingatdoinganotherinNovember.BethelMcKenziesaidsheisworkingonfine-tuningcommunicationswiththenewboardandhasbeenkeepingtheboardinformedonprogresseverystepoftheway,askingforadviceandassistancewhenneeded.ShewantedtopubliclythankthestafffortheirworkonEIJ18.Avastmajorityofthemcamein2/3ofthewayintotheplanningandhustledandlearnedwhattodo.Staffmemberswhowerealreadyinplacewereinvaluabletoherandthenewstaffers.
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Wongremindedtheboardthatthe2019budgetisinadeficit,buttherehasbeen$65,000insavingsacrossSDXandSPJ,expenseswerereducedby$29,000.Sheisemailingtheindividualnumbersforassociationmanagement,awardsrevenueandmembership,etc.,totheboardduringthemeeting.BethelMcKenzieandMessinggaveanupdateonprojects(Google,Facebook,ScrippsLeadershipInstitute).ShesaidWalshhasagreedtooverseetheFacebookproject,whichisaverysimilararrangementtoSPJ’spartnershipwithGoogle.TheytrainedseveraltrainersinNewYorkandFacebookisveryhappywithwhatwe’redoing.WemetFacebook’sgoalofhaving30trainingsandthereismoneyleftinthebudgettodomoretrainings.ThereisawaitinglistforGoogletrainingsandGooglerecentlygaveusanotherprojectrelatedtoelectioncoverageformidterms.ThenewQuilleditor,MonicaWilliams,ismanagingtheGooglepartnership.MessingsaidwesubmittedanewproposaltoScrippsforanewScrippsInstituteprogram.BethelMcKenziemetwithScrippsandreceivedgoodfeedbackontheproposedchanges.MoreinputisexpectedfromScrippsandthenadirectionwillbedecided.Fundingisnotatriskatthispoint,BethelMcKenziesaid.GallagherNewberryaskedwhatthefocusofthenewScrippsInstitutewillbe.Messingsaiditwilllikelybegearedtowardmanagersofstudentnewsroomsandprovidingthemwithleadershipskills.Itwillbetaughtrightbeforetheybeginasstudenteditors,sooncetheystartinthatroletheywillbestrongleadersintheirnewsrooms.GallagherNewberryfollowedupbyaskingwhyweselectedthatfocus?AndwhereintheorganizationwillwenowtrainnewSPJleaders?BethelMcKenziesaidafterseveralconversationswithScripps,theywereinterestedinseeingamoredynamicfocusfortheprogram.Theyhaveakeeneyeonstudents.Thefinalprogrammaybeahybridofwhatwasproposedandwhatwealreadydo.TrainingforSPJleaderscouldhappenatregionalconferencesorwecouldfindawaytotrainincomingleadersattheannualconference.SchotzsaidduringtheRDcaucusmeetingthiswasdiscussedandtheywouldliketodoSPJleadertrainingatregionalconferences.Thequestionis,isthereacurriculumtheycanworkonforthistraining?Koretzkyaskedifacomparativeanalysishasbeendoneofothercollege/universitytrainingsthatothergroupssuchasCMAorACPmightalreadybedoing?Messingsaidthegoalwouldbetotakeasmallprogramandexpandittoasdiverseanaudienceaspossible,takingittolargecampuses,smallerschoolsandHBCUs.AsurveywillbegiventoScrippsgraduatesofthelastfiveyearsorsotogettheirfeedbackontheprogramandmakesureitisasgoodasitcanbe.BethelMcKenziesaideachstudentwouldbematchedwithahigh-rankingmentorfromtheirtownandthatmentorwouldfollowthestudentthroughanentireyearofleadingtheirstaff.TheywouldcometoEIJforafinalmeeting,buthopefullythementor/menteerelationshipwillcontinueafterthat.OtteaskedifthiswouldbeinplaceforregionalsinApril?BethelMcKenziesaidthat’sthegoal.ThereisgoingtobeanothermeetingwithScrippsandthegoalistobeginthenewprograminearlyspring.Hallsaidthesurveywillhavetogooutsoon.MessingsaidthesurveywillgooutwithintwoweeksoftheendofEIJ(mid-October).
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HicksgavetheJournalistonCallreport.Theprimaryroleisforhimtogetinfrontofthepublic,stresstheimportanceofafreepressandhelpthemlearnhowtonavigatethenewseveryday.Hewillalsoserveasamediatorbetweenthepressandthepublic.Explainingtonewsorganizationswhypeopledon’ttrustthemandpossiblymakesuggestionsforhelpingthemgainthepublic’strust.Heisworkingonprojectsthatwillhelpdothat.WehadatownhallmeetingTuesdayinBaltimore,whichisoneexampleofhowwecangetinfrontofthepublicandtalkabouttheissuesoftrustinthemedia.HealsowenttoAnnapolisaftertheCapitalGazetteshooting.HeattendedtwovigilsandspokebrieflywithCapitalGazetteemployeePhilDavisandthechaplainfromthelocalsheriff’sdepartment.InspeakingwithpeopleinAnnapolisheheardwhatwasmaybeexpected:sometrustthemediaandsomedon’t,buttheydotrusttheCapitalGazette.We’vetalkedalotabouthowlocalmediaistrustedmorethannationalmedia.RodhaswrittenacoupleofpiecesabouttheCapitalGazetteandthereismorenewsorganizationscanbedoingtogaintrust.HeservedonapanelattheNABJconferenceaboutrestoringtrustinmediaandheisworkingonaprojectthatwillbringnewsliteracytocommunitiesacrossthecountry,tohelppeoplelearnhowtonavigatealltheinformationthatisoutthere.Hisbigprojectwillbewherewegointoacommunityandstickwiththemforawhile–atleastayear–talkaboutissues,hearingfromthemaboutquestionstheyhaveaboutwhatpressdoes,seeifafterayear’stimeifthesessionshavemadeadifferentonhowtheyviewnewsandunderstandtherolewehaveindemocracy.BakeraskedifwearepartneringwiththeNewsLiteracyProjectandHickssaidyes.Koretzkyaskedwhatpercentageofhistimedoeshethinkwillbespenthelpingjournalistsandhelpingthepublic.Hickssaidmostofthetimewillbespentfocusingonthepublic,soprobably80-20or70-30percent.GallagherNewberryaskedwhowasintheaudiencefortheTuesdaynighttownhall?Hickssaidthetownhallwasalittledifferentthanprobablymostothershe’llbedoing.Itwasbyinvitationandwasacrosssectionofpeople–clergy,activists,businessowners,socialprogramsandtheotherhalfwasjournalists.McClellandsaiditwillbeimportanttohaveagoodmeasureofimpactsohecanquantifytheresults.Hicksagreed.BakerthankedHicksforeverythinghe’sdonesofar.ACTION/DISCUSSIONITEMSBethelMcKenziesaidwelosttwoassociationmanagementclientsandareworkingdiligentlytorecruitnewclients.Apacketwassenttooneorganizationthatisveryinterestedandtherearetwoothersthatmaybeinterested.Wearealsofocusingonmaintainingthegreatrelationshipswehavewiththethreeassociationswecurrentlyworkfor.BarlettthankedmembersoftheChapterFinanceRulestaskforceSchotz,Otte,KoretzkyandKissell.Sheexplainedthatafterthespringboardmeetingwheretheboardadoptednewregionalrules,thechangeinboardstructureandtheregionaldirectorscomingofftheboard,theytookthebestpracticesfromthe2013taskforceandbetatestedthemwithchapters,madechangesandtookthemtochaptersandRDsasecondtime.Theproposednewrulesareintheboardpacket(thecampuschapterreportwasinadvertentlyleftout).
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Bartlettmovedthattheboardapprovethenewrules.Schotzseconded.HallcommentedthatattheRDcaucus,itwasdiscussedthatthe$200limitshouldberaisedto$500.Bartlettsaidthetaskforcebelieves$500istoohighathreshold.Ifexpensesabove$200arehandledinthebudget,theydon’tneedtobeapprovedseparately.Bakerabstained.Gallaghervotedagainst.Motionpassed.Theboardthenvotedonanamendmenttonewrulestoregionalfunds.Therequirementoftransparencywasleftin,butleavesituptoeachregiononwhichmethodtouse.Bartlettmadeamotion,Schotzseconded.Motionpassed.MessingsaidtheFirstAmendmentForeverFundwasfirstintroducedfouryearsago,andisnowreadytobeused.DaveCuilliersaidwecanspendabout$10,000peryearfromthefund.HesaidhopefullyafterEIJwecangetanimblecommitteetogethertosubmitproposalsandgeneratemorefunds,soin20yearsitwillbebuiltupandcandoevenmore.Messingsaidifpeopleseeitbeingused,otherswillwanttocontributetoit,too.Koretzkyaskedwhoapprovestheuseofthefunds?Cuilliersaidunder$5,000thecommitteecanapprove.LargerrequestswillgotothefullSPJboard.CommitteeincludesLDFCommitteeChairHagitLimor,FOICommitteeChairDanielleMcLean,Cuillier,Messingandsomeoutsidefolkswilllikelyalsobebroughtin.ThecommitteewillalsocoordinatewithothergroupssuchasNFOICandFirstLookMediatobemoreeffective.COMMITTEEREPORTSTherewerenotquestionsorcommentsregardingcommitteereports.RECOGNITIONOFDEPARTINGBOARDMEMBERSBakerrecognizedLynnWalsh,RachelMcClelland,LeticiaSteffens,HayleyHarding,RahimChagani,JanePrimerano,TomMcKee,MicheleDay,KariWilliams,EddyeGallagherandEdOtte.PUBLICCOMMENTPERIODBartlettrequestedashortpublicdiscussionaboutthetaskforceonsponsorship.Tarquinioexplainedthatthepresidentappointstaskforces.WhentheissuecameupitwastoolatetoaddressEIJ18sponsorships,sothetaskforcehasbeencreatedandwillbeginworkSundayforguidelinesthatwillbeineffectforEIJ19.WewillhavediscussionswithourEIJpartnersasmuchaspossiblebecauseweproduceEIJtogether.Tarquiniosaidshehasscheduledfullyearofboardmeetingsfornextyear’sboard.NextoneisavirtualzoommeetingonDec.1.GallagherNewberryischairingthetaskforceandshewillgiveanupdateattheDec.1meeting.ADJOURNMENTMeyersmovedtoadjourn.Bartlettseconded.Uponpropermotionandsecondthemeetingwasadjournedat12:01p.m.EDT.
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MINUTESBOARDOFDIRECTORS
SOCIETYOFPROFESSIONALJOURNALISTSSept.30,2018
HiltonBaltimore–Baltimore,MarylandMEETINGCALLEDTOORDERThemeetingoftheBoardofDirectorsoftheSocietyofProfessionalJournalistswascalledtoorderat9:07a.m.EDTonSunday,Sept.30,duringtheExcellenceinJournalismconferenceattheBaltimoreHiltoninBaltimore,Md.Thosepresentwere:PresidentJ.AlexTarquinio;President-electPattiNewberry;Secretary-treasurerMattHall;VicePresidentofCampusChapterAffairsSueKopenKatcef;CampusAdviserAt-LargeJeffSouth;DirectorAt-LargeLaurenBartlett;DirectorAt-LargeMikeReilley;DirectorAt-LargeTessFox;DirectorAt-LargeMichaelSavino;DirectorAt-LargeYvetteWalker;Region2DirectorAndySchotz;Region3DirectorMichaelKoretzky;Region6DirectorJoeRadske;Region10DirectorDonaldMeyers;andRegion12DirectorKellyKissel.StaffmemberspresentforthemeetingwereExecutiveDirectorAlisonBethelMcKenzie,JournalistonCallRodHicks,DirectorofDevelopmentLarryMessing,DirectorofFinanceandAdministrationAmyWongandDirectorofCommunicationsandMarketingJenniferRoyer.WELCOMEANDINTRODUCTIONOFNEWBOARDMEMBERSTarquiniowelcomednewboardmemberstotheboardinthistransitionalyearastheboardmovestowardninemembers.INTRODUCTIONOFSTAFFBethelMcKenzieintroducedstafftothenewboard,includingHicks,Wong,Messing,RoyerandCreativeDirectorTonyPeterson;WebAdministratorBillyO’Keefe;DirectorofConferencesandEventsBasharatSaleem;ManagerofMembershipandChaptersCarolineEscobar;OfficeManagerLindaHall;CommunicationsCoordinatorIsaacTaylorandProjectCoordinator&DigitalMarketingSpecialistMarinaCinami.RATIFICATIONOFSIGMADELTACHIFOUNDATIONBOARDELECTIONSRobertLeger,asoutgoingpresidentoftheSDXFoundationexplainedthattheSPJBoardofDirectorsratifiestheindependentlyelectedofficersanddirectorsoftheSDXFoundation.LegerrequestedtheSPJBoardratifythefollowing:PresidentIrwinGratz;VicePresidentHagitLimor;SecretarySonnyAlberadoandTreasurerHowardDubin;andthereappointmenttotheboardofmembersToddGillman;Gratz;EvelynHsu;AlexJones;BillKetter;Limor;SonyaRoss;DaveCuillierandFrankLoMonte.Bartlettmovedtoapprovetheratification.Newberryseconded.Motionwasapproved.Legersaidtherewasasecondmatter,anothercheckandbalance,fortheSPJBoardtoconsider.TheSDXFoundationboardvotedtochangeitsnametomatchSPJ’snameinthebelief
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thatweoftenhavetobeginourfundraisingtoexplainwhatSDXis.SDXFoundationBoardbylawsrequiretheboardtoapproveanybylawsamendmentbytwo-thirdsvoteandnotifytheSPJBoardwithinfivedays.TheSPJBoardcanvoteitdown;orifnoactionistaken,thebylawsgointoeffectin30days.ThisistheSDXFoundationBoard’snotificationtotheSPJBoard.Noactionisnecessary,unlesstheSPJBoardwantsthenametoremainas-is.LegeraddedthatheandKoretzkydon’tagreeonmuch,buthewasoffendedthatanothermembercalledthequestiononKoretzky’sproposalduringtheClosingBusinessSessionearlierduringEIJ18.Legersaidifhehadnotbeenavotecounter,hewouldhavestoodupandsaidsomething.TheyearhewasSPJpresident,thepresidentrantheentiremeetinganddidn’tturnitovertotheresolutionschair.ThepresidentcanignorecallingthequestionandLegerencouragestheSPJBoardtoreturntothepresidentrunningthebusinessmeeting.Schotzagreedthatactionwasoutofbounds.Whencoveringthelegislatureyoucanquestionssomeone’sproposal,butyoucan’tquestiontheirmotivation,hesaid.Tosaysomeoneistryingtodoaconiscompletelyoutofbounds.
BOARDEXPECTATIONSTarquiniointroducedbothSPJattorneysfromBakerHostetlerwhowerepresent–BruceSanfordandMarkBailen.TarquiniosaidshesentalisttotheboardofallthemeetingsfortheyearthattheboardwillconductviaZoomvideoconference.It’safullcalendarinbetweenthreein-personmeetings,Zoommeetingsforthefullboard,executivecommitteemeetings,andtheawardsdinnerinJune.WewillhaveaZoommeetingtheweekbeforetheawardsbanquet,buttheboardiswelcometoattendthatevent,too.Cometomeetings,bepreparedandTarquiniosaidshehasa“nowallflowers”rule.SherecommendedboardmembersbecomefamiliarwiththeSPJwebsiteandparticipateintheactiveemailexchangestheboardhas.But
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,NF%L6FA"b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a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
shedoeswantboardmemberstobemindfulthatlegalquestionsarebestkeptoffemail.Iflegalquestionscomeupbetweenboardmeetings,shewillscheduleanotherboardmeeting.Shealsoencourageseveryonetoberespectfulonthoseemailexchanges.Tarquinioexplainedthatbecausethisisatransitionalyearfortheboard,focuswillbeonhowtohandletheculturaltransformationoftheboard.Twoat-largedirectorswillbeappointed.Pastdutiesofat-largedirectorswerelooselydefinedandTarquiniowantstodefinethosedutiesalittlemoreandhaveat-largedirectorsmoreinvolved.Shewantstogivethemalittletimetogettoknowtheboardandhowitworks.Shewillbetalkingtoeachboardmemberaboutprojectstheywouldliketoworkonthisyear.Therearealotofideashere,butwehavetokeepthegoodofthewholeinmind,shesaid.KopenKatcefremindedtheboardthatitalsohasSlackforcommunicatingwithoneanother.Tarquiniosaidiftherearelong-windedmessageaboutthefutureofSPJ,thosediscussionsarebetterhandledonSlack.Butifanissuearisesandsheneedstoscheduleanemergencyboardmeeting,shewillsendanemail.BartlettaskedwhomanagestheSPJLeadersSlackchannelandsaidonlycurrentboardmembersneedtobeonthatchannel.Radskeaskedifregionalcoordinatorswillbeonthatchannel.Tarquiniosaidthathasnotbeendiscussed,butshethinkstheyshouldnotbeonthatchannelsincewearemovingawayfromaregionalmodel.NewberrysaidtheremaybereasontohavearegionalcoordinatorsSlackchannel.Schotzsaidwiththechangestotheboard,theSlackchannelsaregrowingandneedsomepruning.Hehastriedtomovepeoplebutcan’t,sincetheywerecreatedbyaformerstaffer.Herecommendedstartingoverwithnewchannels.Tarquinioagreedandaskedhimtodothat.Schotzalsosaidwhenboardgroupemailsaresent,itneedstobeknownwhoisonthelist,whetheritgoestostaffortheexecutivedirector,ortheboardonly.Tarquiniosaidthereshouldbeaboardonlyemaillistandonewiththeexecutivedirectorandpossiblyotherstaff,andtheSlackchannelshouldbeterminatedfornow,untilnewonescanbecreated.COMMITTEEANDTASKFORCEAPPOINTMENTSTarquinioappointedSchotzaschairoftheAwardsandHonorsCommittee;BobBecker,chairofBylawsCommittee;DanielleMcLean,chairofFreedomofInformationCommittee;HagitLimor,chairofLegalDefenseFundCommittee;BeckyTallentandLeticiaSteffens,co-chairsofEducationCommittee;RebeccaAguilar,chairofDiversityCommittee;LynnWalsh,chairofEthicsCommittee;MichaelArena,chairofMembershipCommittee;EddyeGallagher,chairofNominationsCommittee;MichaelSavino,chairofResolutionsCommittee.SPJPresidentmayappointasmanydirectorstotheSigmaDeltaChiFoundationashe/shedesiressolongasthenumberofindependentlyelecteddirectorsisonemorethantheSPJappointments.TarquiniorecommendedKopenKatcef,Schotz,Newberry,HallandherselftotheSDXFoundationBoard.TheFinanceCommitteeiscomprisedoftheofficersandtwoat-largemembersappointedbythePresidentandratifiedbytheboardofdirectors.TarquiniorecommendtheboardapproveSchotzandBillMcCloskeytojointheFinanceCommittee.Bartlettmoved,KopenKatcef
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seconded.Schotzabstained.Motionpassed.TarquiniorecommendedtotheExecutiveCommitteeBartlettandKoretzky.Schotzmoved,KopenKatcefseconded.Motionpassed.TarquinioannouncedherappointmentofNewberrytoleadtheStrategicPlanTaskForce,whichwillbeginestablishingtheboard’slong-termgoals.ShehopestohaveaframeworkforconsiderationatEIJ19inSanAntonio.NewberrywillalsochairtheSponsorshipTaskForce.TherewasasponsorshippolicywrittenbeforecreationofEIJ.NextyearwearewithRTDNAandNAHJ.Weneedtostrengthenthesponsorshippolicyandstreamlineourprocesses.TarquiniosaidsheaskedNewberrytobringinfotofirstboardZoommeetingDec.1.TarquinioaskedAndrewSeamantoleadthePartnershipsTaskForce,whichwillplanasummitinMay.Seamanisthisyear’sWellsKeyhonoreeandwasEthicsCommitteechairforthelastfouryears.Schotzsaidhewouldliketoaskaquestiononthesponsorshipissue.Hispoint,hesaid,isaprettyimportantpoint.InthedebateaboutKoch,wewentthroughourpolicysayingwefollowedpolicybuttheremightbepartsthatneedtobeupdated.OneofthefundamentalpointswasthatKochdidnotgettoplantheirsessionasasponsor.ButIheardtheydid.Tarquiniosaidtheydidnotplantheprogrammingforthepaneldiscussiontheysponsored.BethelMcKenziesaidKochwasnottheonlysponsorwhogave$25,000tosponsorapanel.TheyhadachoicebetweenthreepaneltopicsandKochchoseFOI.It’stheirpanel,sotheycanplanit.ShecontactedKochtoseeifshecouldbeofassistance.BethelMcKenziesaidshechosethemoderator,changedthedescriptionofthesession,etc.,andwas“prettyheavyhanded”inputtingtheirpaneltogether.It’sherunderstandingthatinthepast,sessionsponsorsdousuallyplantheirsessions.Schotzsaidthatisactuallyagainstourpolicywhichsaystheydonotchoosethepanel.TarquiniosaidtheProgramCommitteeisnotinvolvedinsponsoredpanels.Thecommitteeisjusttoldtheyarehappening.Itwasherunderstandingastafferworkstodevelopthosepanels.BethelMcKenziesaidshespoketoHollyRose,whosoldthesponsorship,andaskedforcontactinformationforKochsoshecouldsteerit.NewberrysaidshehasbeentellingpeopleKochdidnotplanthesessionandnowsheishearingforthefirsttimethattheydid.BartlettsaidthetalkingpointssaidKochInstitutedidnotcontrolthesession–theydidnotpickthetopicorchoosepanelists.BethelMcKenziesaidshepickedthepanelistsandtwodroppedout.Bartlettsaidthatwasnottheinformationgiveninthetalkingpoints.Schotzaddedtheboardtrustedthetalkingpoints.BailenaddedthathewasoneofthepanelistsandtheonlythingKochinstructedpanelistsnottodowasadvocateforlegislation.Thatistheonlythingtheyinstructedpaneliststonotdo.
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Theydidnotpersuadepanelistsonwhatpositionstheyshouldtake.BethelMcKenziesaidKochchosetheFOItopicandoneofthepanelists.TarquiniosaiditsoundslikeKochhadmoreinvolvementthantheboardknew.Schotzsaidhewouldlikeamemoonthis.Koretzkysaidmaybethetaskforceshouldgettothebottomofitsoweknowexactlywhathappened.Tarquiniosaidshe,NewberryandHallhaveameetingrightafterthisonebecausetheyneedtogetaproposaldonebyDec.1.BethelMcKenziesaidthebiggestproblemislettingsponsorshavepanels.They’vebeenpartofEIJforfiveyears.Allsponsoredpanelsshouldbenavigatedbyus,shesaid.Inmypersonalview,theyshouldnotbeofferedasasponsorship,sheadded.TarquinioandNewberryemphasizedthatthematterwouldbehandledquickly.Schotzsaidamemothatexplainswhathappenedandhowtheinformationgotintothetalkingpointsisneeded.HallaskedBethelMcKenzietosendthememototheboardandsheagreed.
AlejandraCancino,PresidentoftheChicagoHeadlineClub,saidsheisdisappointedineveryoneontheboardwhodidnotabidebytheSPJCodeofEthicsandfailedtoupholdSPJ’sownsponsorshippolicy.Non-mediasponsorsarenotsupposedtohavecontrolofpanels,shesaid,addingthatifshewerenotpresidentoftheChicagoHeadlineClub,shewouldquitoverthisissue.Memberswereliedto,openingadoorfororganizationsthathaveaclearpoliticalagendatoinfluenceourmembers,shesaid.Wethemembersofthisorganizationdeservebetter.BethelMcKenziethankedCancinoforhercomments,addingshewantstomakeitclearthatshehadasignificantamountofinputonthatpanel.
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Cancinoaskedwhathashappenedinthepast?Haveotherpoliticalorganizationshadaninfluenceonthemindsofourmembers.SchotzsaidhedisagreeswithallofwhatCancinosaidinherletterandalotofwhatshesaidhere.TheSPJCodeofEthicsisaguidefordoingjournalism.Whatwe’retalkingaboutisaguideforbusinessrelationships.SPJCodeofEthicsdoesnotapply.Ifeltcomfortablewithwhatwedidbasedonthemnothavingcontrolofpanel.We’renowhearingthat’snotwhathappenedandI’mnothappywiththat.IfwefollowourpolicyIthinkwe’refine.Cancinoreadfromthe2003policy:Non-mediacontributorswillnotbecalledsponsors.SPJwillcontrolallaspectsofconventionprogramming.Violatingownpolicy.Koretzkysaidnoneofusknewaboutthatpolicyuntilaformerpresidentdugituponhispersonalcomputer.ThisisastructuralproblemwithSPJ.It’snotapresidentproblemorEDproblem.Wepassalotofpoliciesthatyearslatergetlost.Hopeweactuallywriteitdownthistime.Andputitsomewherewheresomeoneelsecanfindit.Tarquiniosaidshewantsthesponsorshippolicytoliveintheboardmaterialsofthewebsite.Bartlettsaidthereisadocumentationsectiononthewebsite,butit’smissingtwo-thirdsofthedocumentsthatshouldbethere.Bailensaidhewasonpanelandagreeswiththeissuewithrespecttopolicy,buthecansayfromhisperspectivethatthesponsorwasnottryingtoinfluenceattendees.Theydidnottrytocontrolanythinganyonesaid.Theylefttopaneliststospeakhowtheywantedtospeak.KathyBurns,immediatepast-presidentoftheDCChapter,saidshesupportsCancino’sstatements.WhenshewalkedintotheexhibitionhallandsawSinclairwasasponsorshewasastounded.Thisisawonderfulthingthatwe’retakingalookataproblemandlookingtosolveit.Shewasdisappointedthattheconventionprogrameliminatedlistingallthepeopleonpanels.Sheusuallypickssessionsbasedonwhowasspeaking,soshewouldliketoseeinfutureprogramsalistofspeakers.Shewouldalsoliketoseemapsthatarenotinmicroscopicprintandbringingbackthemeetingofchapterleaders.Needbettersignageforpanels.Speakersandawardwinnersshouldbeinvitedtobemembers.StreamlinetheSDXFoundationBoard,followingtheexampleoftheSPJBoard.Createacircleofadvisersratherthanaboardforthosepeople.ThePresident’sBanquetisoneofthemostpowerfulthingswedoatconvention.Thesearepeoplemakingarealdifference,doingrealthings.Weneedtostopworryingaboutwhatwecallourselves.Wecallourselvesjournalistsandthatwasaproudmomentformembers.BethelMcKenziesaidtherewasquiteabitofnot-so-positivefeedbackaboutSinclairatEIJ.TheboardhadaveryrobustdiscussionaboutitinApril.TheyareamemberofourpartnerRTDNA.Thetaskforcewillbeaddressingthat.MessingandBethelMcKenziereachedouttoNYTimes,LATimesandinvitedtheexecutiveeditorstojoinSPJandtheyarenowmembers.Thegoaloverthenextsixmonthsorsoistoremindthemofwhoweareandwhatwedo.HazelBeckersaidshehasverydifferentkindofinput.ThishasbeenaninterestingyearforSPJandwe’remakingtransitionupontransition.Shecommendstheboardandstaffforsomehow
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gettingusthroughthistransitionandbringingusanincredibleEIJ.Ihavecriticismstoo,butIseeSPJsteppingupandgoingtothenextlevel.Wearejustgoingtokeepgoingup.OLD/NEWBUSINESS(EXECUTIVESESSION)Tarquinioexplainedtheboardwouldgointoexecutivesessiontodiscussaproposalonapartnerproject;apersonnelmatter;boardorientationandtheexecutivedirector’ssix-monthevaluation.Newberrymadethemotiontogointoexecutivesession.Hallseconded.Motionpassed.Theboardwentintoexecutivesessionat10:43a.m.ADJOURNMENTUponpropermotionbyMeyersandsecondedbyFox,theboardvotedunanimouslytoexitexecutivesessionat12:10p.m.EDT.UponpropermotionbyMeyersandsecondedbyFox,themeetingwasunanimouslyadjournedat12:11p.m.EDT.
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MINUTESBOARDOFDIRECTORS
SOCIETYOFPROFESSIONALJOURNALISTSSATURDAY,DEC.1,2018
VIDEOCONFERENCEMEETINGMEETINGCALLEDTOORDERThemeetingwascalledtoorderat12p.mEST.Memberspresent:PresidentJ.AlexTarquinio;President-electPattiNewberry;Secretary-TreasurerMatthewHall;VicePresidentofCampusChapterAffairsSueKopenKatcef;directorsat-largeLaurenBartlett,TessFox,MikeReilley,MichaelSavinoandYvetteWalker;Region2DirectorAndySchotz;Region3DirectorMichaelKoretzky;Region6DirectorJoeRadske;Region10DirectorDonMeyers;Region11DirectorDebKrolandRegion12DirectorKellyKissel.Membersabsent:CampusAdvisorAt-LargeJeffSouth.OtherspresentwereDirectorofCommunicationsandMarketingJenniferRoyer,fortheopeningpublicsession,andSPJFoundationpresidentIrwinGratz,foraportionoftheexecutivesessionrelatedtotheexecutivedirector’sannualreview.PRESIDENT’SREPORTTarquiniopresentedherlatestreport;seebelow.Therewasnodiscussion.PROCESSTheboardvotedtokeepcommentsotherthanreportstotwominutes.Motion:Schotz.Second:KopenKatcef.Vote:unanimous.Theboardvotedtosuspenddiscussionat1p.m.orassoonasGratzjoinedthecalltodiscusstheexecutivedirector'sannualreview.Motion:KopenKatcef.Second:Bartlett.Vote:unanimous.Abstentions:Tarquiniobecauseshewasleadingthemeeting.MINUTESTheboardvotedtoapprovetheminutesofitsOct.28videoconferencemeeting.Motion:Newberry.Second:Reilley.Vote:unanimous.Abstentions:Bartlett,KrolandSchotzbecausetheydidnotattendthemeeting.EXECUTIVESESSIONTheboardvotedat12:09p.m.ESTtoenterexecutivesessiontodiscusspartofthepresident’sreport,anupdateonannualconferences,asponsorshiptaskforcereportandtheexecutivedirector’sannualreview.Motion:Krol.Second:Bartlett.Vote:unanimous.Theboardvotedat2:33p.m.toexitexecutivesession.Motion:Newberry.Second:Reilley.Vote:unanimous.SPONSORSHIPTASKFORCEREPORT
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Theboardvotedtoapprovetherecommendationsofitssponsorshiptaskforceasmodifiedinexecutivesession.Motion:Newberry.Second:Krol.Vote:unanimous.Theboardapprovedthefollowingrecommendations:●Bothmediaandnon-mediaentitieswillbeallowedtosponsorsessions/events,andproposesessionideas.ProposalswillbevettedbytheEIJPlanningCommittee.Onceproposalsareaccepted,theCommitteeanditsdesignatedproducerwillassumefullresponsibilityforparticipants,topics,times,places,etc.●Neithermedianornon-mediaentitiesmayproposespeakersforthesessions/eventstheysponsor.●Neithermedianornon-mediaentitiesmaycoverexpensesforsessions/eventstheysponsor.SPJ,itsEIJpartnersortheEIJPlanningCommitteemaychooseincertaincircumstancestousesponsororgrantmoniestodefrayexpenses.●Neithermedianornon-mediaentitiesmayofferspeakingfeesforsessions/eventstheysponsor.●EIJpartnerswillretaintherightofrefusaloverallsponsors,exhibitorsoradvertisers,withcontractsreviewedbytheexecutivedirectorsofpartnergroupsbeforeaccepting.●EIJpartnerswilldiscloseitspoliciesonsponsorshipofsessions/eventstopotentialsponsorsinsalesmaterialsforEIJsandotherappropriatepublicationsorwebpages.EXECUTIVEDIRECTORANNUALREVIEWTheboardvotedtocreateaworkinggroupchairedbythesecretary-treasurertoassistwiththeexecutivedirector’sannualreview.Motion:Bartlett.Second:Fox.Vote:unanimous.Theworkinggroupwaschargedwiththefollowing:●Draftspecificstandardstoevaluatetheexecutivedirectorattheone-yearmark,whichisMarch19.●DraftaquestionnaireforSPJboardandSPJFoundationofficerswithopen-endedquestions.Allresponseswillbeconfidential.●Draftaself-evaluationforexecutivedirectortobecompletedandsharedwithSPJboardbyFeb.15.●Draftaseparatequestionnaireforcurrentandformerstaffwithalltheresponsesconfidential.●Reviewthesix-monthfeedbackfromthepreviousboardandexecutivedirectortomonitorprogress.ADJOURNMENTTheboardvotedtoadjournat2:40p.m.EST.Motion:Bartlett.Second:Meyers.Vote:unanimous.
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DATE:Saturday,Dec.1FROM:J.AlexTarquinio,SPJPresidentFOR:SPJnationalboardPRESIDENT’SREPORTColleagues,WelcometothenewSPJboard.Asweallknow,theboardsizeandstructurewillalterdramaticallynextyear.Towardsthisadmirableend,we’reputtingintoplacethephilosophicalrealignmentthatinspiredthisstructuraltransformation.We’readdressinglong-termquestionsaboutSPJpolicies,partnershipsandvision,whileclarifyinghowwewilloperateinthefuturetoachievethegoalsetbythedelegateswhovotedtoformamorestrategicboard.Thisreportisoneexampleofthisevolvingtransition.Traditionally,theboardhadmetinpersonforfull-daymeetingstwiceayear,inAprilandSeptember,andthepresidenthadwrittenaformalreportforthosemeetings.Underthenewmodel,focusedonlong-termstrategicgoalsetting,I’vescheduledvideoconferencemeetingsforDecember,FebruaryandJune.Iplantotakeeachoftheseopportunitiestoupdateyouaboutouractivitiessincethepriormeeting.Eachofthevideomeetingswillhaveatheme.Todaywe’relookingathowwemanageourannualExcellenceinJournalism(EIJ)conferenceandsponsorships.InFebruarywe’llfocusonmembershipandinJunewe’llspotlightpartnerships.We’respreadingthesediscussionsthroughouttheyearinordertogiveusleewayinourspringmeetingtodebatethebigideasabouthowoursocietycanbetterservetheneedsofjournalistsandpromotethepreservationoffreedomofspeechandofthepressinthisdynamicallychangingnewsecosystem.Muchofmytimeduringthefirsttwomonthshasbeenspentrebuildingcrucialnationalcommitteesandlaunchingnewtaskforces.ThenewDiversitycommitteeisalreadyhavingsomeexcitingconversationsabouthowtostrengthenourannualDiversityFellowsprogram.Anotherwillconnectwithyoungmembers,particularlypost-grads.I’dlikebothtocoordinatewithourmembershipcommittee,whichalsohasanewchair.Allofthesecommitteesarestillbeingcomposed,somembersshouldcontactmeifthey’reinterestedinbecominginvolved.Onthetaskforcefront,Iwouldlikethisboardtothinkofitselfasthe“newbroom.”Foryears,muchofboardpolicyhasresidedinoldmeetingminutes.Theboardwouldpassorreviseapolicy,butlatertherewasnoeasywayforfutureboardmemberstolookthisuportofeelconfidentthatitwasthemostrecentpolicy.President-ElectPattiGallagherNewberrychairedataskforcetobringourEIJsponsorshippolicyintothemodernera,asthelastknownpolicywaswrittenbeforewebeganco-producingourannualconference.TheSponsorshiptaskforcecompleteditsreportatabriskpacefortheboard’sconsiderationintoday’smeeting.I’vealsoappointedSecretary-TreasurerMattHalltoleadanewboardpolicyreviewtaskforcethatwillinventoryoldpoliciesandrecommendupdatesforthosethatappeartobeoutdated.Oncethe
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reviewiscomplete,allofthesepoliciesshouldresideonourwebsite,inaplacethatiseasyforallmemberstoaccess,andabackupcopyshouldbekeptinprintatourheadquarters.Advocacyisanotherkeygoalforthisyear.Oursocietyhastraditionallybeenstronginthisdepartment.OneofthesignatureeventsofthesefirsttwomonthswasthereleaseofanopenlettertotheWhiteHousedemandinganindependentinvestigationofthekillingofJamalKhashoggionOct.19.Furthermore,wemadeorjoinedinotheradvocacystatementssupportingthereinstatementofCNNChiefWhiteHouseCorrespondentJimAcosta’spresspassandinNAJA’surgingofthereinstatementofthefreepressordinance.Atthesametimeandtoitscredit,theLegalDefenseFundsignedeightlegalbriefs.We’vebeenbusymakingstatementstothemediaandpersonalappearances.I’veappearedtwiceasaguestontheNewsBreakfastprogramoftheAustralianBroadcastingCorp.,firsttotalkaboutPresidentDonaldTrump’santi-pressrhetoricafterouropenlettertotheWhiteHouse,then,whileinParisduringtheArmisticeDaycelebrations,totalkabouttheimportanceofreportersinwar,amongothertopics.IalsoparticipatedonapaneldiscussionattheannualconferenceoftheConnecticutBroadcastersAssociation.IgavearadiointerviewtoVoiceofAmerica(VOA)aboutSPJ’sstatementcondemningtherevocationofAcosta’sWhiteHousecredentials.EthicschairLynnWalshwasquotedintheChicagoTribuneandintheUniversityofCincinnati’sstudentnewspaper,theNewsRecord.ExecutiveDirectorAlisonBethelMcKenziegaveinterviewstoSkyNewsofLondon,theVOAandastudentpaperatMaristCollege.WhenIranforthisofficemorethanayearago,IemphasizedthatIwantedtoputthefullweightofourorganizationbehindadvocacyandpartnerships,bothnationallyandinternationally.Withthisinmind,I’vemadetwotripstotheUnitedNationsinNewYork.Atthefirst,alongwithRTDNA’sexecutivedirectorDanShelley,Ispoketoagroupof25top-tierglobaljournalistsaboutdisinformationonOct.5.Atthesecondevent,onNov.2,IattendedUNESCO’s“DayofImpunity,”highlightingtheneedtoendimpunityforthekillingofjournalists.OnNov.11,thecentennialoftheendofthefirstworldwar,IattendedaReportersWithoutBorders(RSF)eventwithinthefirstannualParisPeaceForum.ThepresidentofFranceintroducedthesession,whichwasattendedbymanyheadsofstate.AlthoughI’vedocumentedthiseventthoroughlyinmyQuillcolumn,itisworthnotingsomeofthecontactsthatImade,orremade,whilerepresentingSPJthere,toincludeChristopheDeloire,RSFSecretary-General;AidanWhite,founderandpresidentoftheLondon-basedEthicalJournalismNetwork;BertrandPecquerie,CEOoftheParis-basedGlobalEditorsNetwork;PatrickGaspard,PresidentoftheOpenSocietyFoundation;BrunoStagno-Ugarte,DeputyExecutiveDirectorofHumanRightsWatch;MariaRessa,ajournalistandtheCEOofRappler,anewswebsiteinthePhilippinesthathasbeenharassedbythecountry’spresident;andRobertaAnnan,thedaughterofformerUNSecretary-GeneralKofiAnnanandadevelopmentadvocate,aswellasmanyglobaljournalists.Ithasbeenabusytwomonths,andwe’restillsettingthewheelsinmotiontolaunchsomeofoursignatureprojectsfortheyear.Onward!
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Date: Jan. 30, 2019New Chapter Petition
From: Alison Bethel McKenzie, SPJ executive director To: SPJ Board of Directors
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Feb. 2, 2019 To: Members of the SPJ Board From: Patti Newberry Re: EIJ19 All: With this brief memo, I write to share progress on programming for EIJ19, set for San Antonio, Sept. 5-7. I serve on the EIJ19 programming committee with:
• Larry Messing, director of development, SPJ • Marina Cinami, project coordinator and digital marketing specialist, SPJ. • Terence Shepherd, news director at WLRN public radio in Miami and chair-elect of
RTDNA. • Kate Switchenko, deputy executive director of RTDNA.
We had two brief planning meetings in 2018 and just began twice-weekly meetings this week to review program proposals.
At this date, we have about 160 proposals for workshops and breakout sessions. Our goal is to stage about an equal number of programs in each of four categories: Digital, newsgathering, news management and career development. We aim to have at least three Super Sessions, with one “owned” and largely organized by each of the three EIJ partners.
We are also considering whether to repeat the “SPJ 5” idea from last year, inaugurated to give SPJ a room for five breakouts that would appeal primarily to our members. Last year, the SPJ 5 included Fine Fellows, #PressforEducation, Saving Student Media, Nervous As Hell: Mock (or Maybe Real) Job Interviews For New Grads, and Covering National Security. If we go forward with this concept for EIJ19, I will propose repeating Fine Fellows (in a larger venue, with AV support); and possibly all of the others except for the national security panel. I welcome your ideas on SPJ-centric topics to put before the planning committee.
As we work through the proposals, we are committed to highlighting new takes on favorite topics – mindful of the need to consider the ethical implications of all subjects, with diverse panels of experts and a strong Texas flavor.
I welcome your continued input as we seek to stage a relevant, well-attended EIJ19.
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DATE:Jan.17,2019FROM:AlisonBethelMcKenzie,ExecutiveDirector,SPJFOR:SPJBoardofDirectors
SPJ’s110thDraftAnniversaryPlan
What: SPJiscelebrating110yearsofservingjournalistsanddefendingFirstAmendmentrights.
WhyCelebrate?While110yearsmaynotbeviewedasasignificantanniversary,itdoesprovideasignificantopportunitytocelebrateourhistory,oursuccessesand,moreimportantly,ourfuture.ItoffersuniquemarketingpotentialwhichcanhelpraiseSPJ’sprofileatatimewhenwemustaggressivelyshareourstory/missionandsignificantlygrowoursupportbase.
Ananniversaryprovidesanorganizationwithastartingpointingettingintothedoorwithsupporters(especiallyfoundationandcorporate:“Helpussupport110yearsof…”).Forexample,onemajorfunderiscurrentlyconsideringa$50,000gifttoSPJinhonorofour110years.
Overall,the110anniversaryprovidesanopportunitytoreintroduceourselvestoformermembersandsupportersandtohighlightourlongevity,whileexpandingourbaseofsupporters–withoutmuchoutlayofcostbySPJ.
Nonprofits’useofanniversariestoraisemoneyisnotatallnewandis,infact,standard.
AccordingtoDonorboxNonprofit’sblog,“Anniversariesareimportantforanyorganization,especiallyanonprofit.Anniversariesshowatrackrecordofprovidingserviceanddemonstratethatyouhavegainedthetrustofyourbeneficiariesandprovenachievableresults.
“Celebratingyournonprofit’sanniversaryisagreatopportunitytothankyourstaff,volunteers,andtheboardfortheircontributionandrecognizethemforspecificachievements.Itoffersanopportunityforreflectionandalookingbackatallthechallengesthatyouovercame.Thishelpsinvigoratethestaffandothersupporters.
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“Nonprofitanniversariesarealsoanexcellentwaytoinformthewideraudienceofyourhistory,youraccomplishments,andyourplansforthefuture.Celebratingmilestoneshelpstoincreasethevisibilityofyourmission,allowingyoutohighlightyourhistoryininnovationortraditionofadvocacy,whileatthesametimegivingyouthechancetoarticulateyourorganization’svisionforthefuture.
“Anon-profitanniversarycampaignisnotsomethingyouwanttomissouton!”
AndFundraiserCyberzinemagazineproducedastudythatshowedthattheanniversaryofanonprofit’sfoundingis“anidealopportunitytogalvanizeyouremployees,boardmembers,donors,foundations,governmentandcorporatesponsors,andtore-kindletheircommitmenttotherelevance,importanceandneedsoftheorganization.
“Thisisauniqueopportunity,withthepotentialforayearlongmarketingprogramthat,doneproperly,setsthestageforyourfundraisers,strengthensyourlonger-termbrandimageandimprovestheorganization'sROI,”reportsGaryKullberg,aserialnonprofitboardmemberandchiefexecutiveoftheKullbergConsultingGroup.
“For-profitorganizations,bothlargeandsmall,havelongrecognizedtheimportanceofcompanyanniversarymarketingbecauseitisn'tjustthelatestadvertising,publicrelations,directmail,internetoreventprogram.Rather,itisauniquechanceforanorganizationtolinkthestrengthofitspasttoitsplansforthefuture.Fornonprofitorganizationsthisstorycanbeespeciallyimportantamongnewmembers,volunteersanddonors,”saysKullberg,adding:“And,importantly,anniversariesdonotneedtobecelebratedinmultiplesof25years.Your33rdcanbeaspowerfulasyour75th.”
110AnniversaryLogo• Willbeincludedinallstaffmembers’emailsignaturelines.• Willbefeaturedonthewebsiteformaximumexposure.• WillbeusedonroomsignsandothermarketingatEIJ.
MerchandisingOpportunities• 220lapelpinstobesold(tocelebratethepast110years/tocelebratethe
next110years)• 110-yearribbonatEIJ19• 250brandedscarvestobesoldfor$50each(tocelebrate50yearsofwomen
inSPJ)• SPJ-brandedYogamats(tocelebrate50yearsofwomeninSPJ)FundraisingOpportunities• EncouragegivingtoSPJat$110(highlightedduringApril17thDayofGiving
Campaign).• EncouragebiggerfundingforEIJ• AdvertisingatEIJ,QuillandSDXAwards
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MarketingOpportunities• Website• Logoaddedtolandingpage• Possiblemessaging:HighlightwhySPJisstillrelevant110yearslater• Quill• Secondandthirdissuesoftheyeartofeaturethe110anniversaryand50-
yearmarkforwomenjoining
EIJ• First110SPJregistrantswillreceivesometypeofanniversary-based
premium• Anniversaryadwillbefeaturedintheprogrambook• EIJNewsteamwillwriteastoryabouttheanniversary
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DATE:Jan.17,2019FROM:AlisonBethelMcKenzie,ExecutiveDirector,SPJFOR:SPJExecutiveCommittee
SPJFiscalYearBudget2020:AnInitialOverview
I. Introduction
ThisdocumentservestoprovideinitialthoughtsonFiscalYearBudget2020aswebegin
toreviewgoalsforthecomingFiscalYearandpossibleareasofadjustmenttoensurea
balancedFY2020budget.Itisimportanttonotethatthisisonlyapreliminarylookat
wherewehopetofindsavingsand,ifnecessary,makecutstoachievethegoalofa
balancedbudget.Thisinformationisfluid.Wehavesomesignificantstepstotakebefore
wecanputtogetheradraftbudgetforFiscalYear2020.
Letmenotethatheadquarters’planisonlytosubmitabalancedbudget.
II. FiscalYearBudget2019Overview
TheFiscalYear2019budgetwaspassedin2018withabudgetdeficitof$41,000.
Additionalincomewaslostwiththedepartureofsomeassociationmanagementclientele,
resultinginabout$54,475inlostrevenue.Inaddition,someunexpectedexpenseswerenot
calculatedintotheexpenseportionofthebudgetpresentedinApril2018,includingexpenses
forhiringnewstaffandconsultingfeestotrainnewemployees.Wearecurrentlycalculating
whatthoseexpensesamounttobutcanassumethattheprojecteddeficitof$41,000willbe
higher.So,thepriorityistobringinincometoreduceanypotentialdeficitand–bestcase
scenario-tocloseitcompletelyandendtheyearinblack.Wehavesevenmonthstomakethis
happen.
Whileweareworkingdiligentlytoholddowncosts,therealissueisontheincomeside.
Wearehopingtobringinunrestrictedincomethroughfoundationgrantsandcontributions
fromhighnet-worthindividualstocoverthedeficit.
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Wehopetorecoupsomeincomewiththeadditionofassociationmanagementclients.
Wearecurrentlyinconversationswiththreenonprofitsfortheirassociationmanagement
business.
III. FY2020Income
ForFY2020,weareaimingtobringtheassociationmanagementincomebacktothe
$138,000projectedintheFY2019budget.Thatfigure,however,dependsonthesizeandwork
involvedtofulfiltheworkloaddemandofeachneworganization.Somenonprofitswewillbe
abletochargemoreforservices;someless.
Withafull-timedevelopmentmanagerandhavingbroughtadvertisingsolicitationin-
house,weexpecttoincreaseouradvertisingandfundraising.Theoverallfundraisinggoalat
thismomentisabout$300,000fornextyear,upfromabudgeted$256,000thisyear.Our
targetcouldbemuchhigher,however,than$300,000.Itistooearlytopindownanexact
figure.
Anotherpotentialplacewherewemayseeasmallincreaseinincomeisrent.Ineedto
studythecurrentBoysandGirlsClubrentalagreementandgetestimatesonrefurbishingthe
basementtopotentiallyrentthatoutaswell.
Oneoptionthatleadershipmayconsiderisanincreaseindues.Dueshaveincreased
onlyonceinthepast13years.
Finally,weareexpectinggreaterincomefromEIJ19duetoincreasedparticipationwith
theattendanceofNAHJmembersandincreasedsponsorshipbecauseoftheparticipationof
NAHJ.Havingsaidthat,incomecouldbescaledbackconsiderablydependingontheoutcomeof
anSPJ/RTDNAsponsorshippolicy.Currently,nopolicyhasbeenratifiedbybothparties.
IV. FY2020Expenses
Currently,Ihavenoplanstoreplacethedeputydirectorpositionasanoutsidehire,
whichwouldresultinsomesavings.Todate,theworkofthatposition–whichissignificant–
hasbeenlargelytakenoverbytheExecutiveDirectorwithseveralotherstafftakingonsome
responsibilities.
WewillalsoseesavingsinconsultancyfeesaswenolongerhaveanextraGoogle
consultantandwehavebroughtinhousetheroleofadvertisingsales,whichmeanswewillnot
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havetopaysizeablecommissionfeestoouroutsidevendor.Inaddition,weshouldnothave
costsforconsultantstotrainnewemployees.
Inaddition,wehopetonegotiateamorefavorablecontractwiththeagencythat
handlessponsorshipforEIJ.ThecontractisupinSeptember2019andmustberenegotiated.
NegotiationsonamorefavorablesponsorshipagreementwouldneedtoincludeRTDNA.
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